PINA

Pacific Ocean Commissioner, Dr Filimon Manoni has welcomed Pacific countries signing the Biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement in New York and appeal to other countries to follow suit. The new chapter of the law of the sea, which opened in June with the adoption of the Agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity...

During a compelling speech at Thematic Session 2 of the UN General Assembly Climate Ambition Summit, titled "Delivering Climate Justice: Accelerating Ambition and Implementation on Adaptation and Early Warning for All," Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, issued a stirring call to action. He emphasised Fiji's unique position as a frontline nation in the battle against climate change, its struggles with erratic...

By Simon Kofe and Jess Marinaccio On 05 September 2023, I (Kofe) announced the unanimous passage by Tuvalu’s parliament of the Constitution of Tuvalu Act 2023. The new constitutional amendments will come into effect on 1 October 2023, Tuvalu’s 45th Independence Day. Since November 2016, Tuvalu has been conducting a review of its Constitution to address a variety of concerns. The...

A number of significant amendments to Tuvalu's Constitution have been proposed by the Constitution Review Parliamentary Select Committee. Amongst the 26 proposed changes, the Committee wants to amend Section 2 of the Constitution that refers to the 'Area of Tuvalu' to include the impact of climate change and sea level rise on the nation's territory and statehood. The Committee is of...

Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) and Samoan Prime Minister, Fiame Mata'afa has told the UN Climate Ambition Summit in New York, the G20 is responsible for 80 percent of global emissions. “As SIDS, our contribution to greenhouse gas emissions is less than one percent. “The G20 is responsible for percent emissions. 80 percent! Our small islands are...

In a momentous occasion held within the halls of the United Nations building on Wednesday, Fiji proudly stood as one of the first nations to sign the groundbreaking “Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction,” colloquially known as...

In a significant diplomatic encounter at the United Nations General Assembly, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has met with the Secretary-General of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) Georges Rebelo Pinto Chikoti. The meeting on Wednesday New York Time, underscored the long-standing partnership between Fiji and the OACPS, focusing on various critical topics, including Fiji's membership in the...

Australia has put $3.5 million (US$2.25 million) towards supporting the international nuclear regulator as Pacific leaders cry foul about the dumping of wastewater from Japan. Japan has sparked controversy in the region by staging the release of treated nuclear wastewater into the Pacific, splitting regional leaders about its safety. The International Atomic Energy Agency gave the plan the green light, saying...

Deep-sea mining companies in the Cook Islands have been exploring the country's ocean to see if they can extract potato-sized nodules packed full of minerals kilometres deep. Moana Minerals Limited is one of three companies that were awarded a five-year exploration license in the Cook Islands. The license allows the companies to explore the deep sea in the country's exclusive-economic zone...

The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) is conducting a two-day workshop with members of the Vanuatu media to strengthen their understanding of climate change and other environment-related issues in the Pacific in order to further amplify a Resilient Pacific Voice. SPREP’s Communications and Outreach team have been in Vanuatu for a week working on building the capacity...